Non-magnetic compass.



E. KLAHN.

NON-MAGNETIC COMPASS. APPLICATION FILED MAY12, I913. RENEWED OCT. 22, 19:7.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

woe ntoz J J M W 36 3% E. KLAHN.

NON-MAGNETIC COMPASS, APPLICATION FILED MAY 12, I913. RENEWED OCT-22.19M-

Patented Dec. 18,1917,

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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Wane/Mao 5 W00 ntoz 'PB 'YIJ EMIL KLAHN, OF MORRIS PLAINS, NEW J NON-MAGNETIC COMPASS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented D80. 18, 1917.

-Application filerl May 12, 1913, Serial No. 766,921. Renewed October 22, 1917. Serial No. 197,992.

and State of New Jersey, have invented,

certain new and useful Improvements in Non-Magnetic Compasses, of which the following is a specification;

The invention relates to gyroscopic apparatus, for example such as may be employed in connection with non-magnetic compasses, and more particularly to suspenslon means therefor and whereby the frictional res1s- 1 s axes may be substantially eliminatedin the case of non-magnetic compasses, particularly that upon the Verticalaxle of the gyroscopic member employed.

This is effected by providing a sustaining column of air under suitable pressure to support the entire gyroscope, so that frlctlon upon its corresponding axle' 1s eliminated. By thus eliminating the frictlonal resisttime "tmturning about the vertical axle, f or example, rotary influences will be transmitted substantially only through the horizontal 4 A n correspondlng axle owing to its frictional resistance.

-In theembodiment herein illustrated as one application of the invention, v1z':a non-magnetic compass,,F1gure 1 1s a front elevation, partly in section; and Flg. .2 1s a plan thereof.

Similar characters of reference designate parts throughout the several p umns belng hollow and connected through a views.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a suitable base for the apparatus, which base may be carried by aship or other course changing body. Suitable columns 11 extend upwardly from the base and support a gimbal ring 12, which, in turn, 1s pivotally connected to the frame 13 of theapparatus proper, the mounting of frame 13 in the gimbal ring being according to the usual practice and intended to maintain the said-frame 13 at all times in the plumb I .line.

and 18 of-the frame 13, the upper bearing 17 being merely to locate the shaft 15, while the lower 18 is a supporting 4 ame 14. Shafts\15 and 16 are held in respective bearings 17 for the gyroscopic member as a whole. This member is pivotally mounted, within the frame 14 in the line of its center of gravity, as by trunnions 1'9 bearings 20, and at right angles to the said axle of precession.

It comprises a suitable motor 21, herein shown as an electric motor to which electrlcal connection is made n well-known manner as shown, said motor rotating an axle 22 at right angles to the said trunnions, the

axle being hereinafter referred to as the axle of rotation of the rptating mass and driving preferably two rotatable masses 23- at its respective ends. The masses 23 are shown inclosed in suitable casings 24 to avoid any dlsturbing action due t air currents produced bytheir rotation. p on one of the trunnions 19 is mounted a semi-circular dial 25, graduated in degrees latitude from zero to ninety, and adapted to cooperate with, a sight opening 26 in the frame 14 having two superposed parallel threads 27 for affording a more convenient and accurate readlng of sa1d,'dial.

so. u

The shaft 15 has secured to it, near its upper end, and is'surrounded by aninverted cup shaped member or dome 30 into which air is adapted to be'blown through suitable openings 31 arranged in two circularseries in acircular, plate 32 fitted within the dome. The air is delivered to these openings through ducts 33of tubes 34 con nected with a number-of the vertical supporting columns of the'frame 13, saidcolhose 36 with 21v suitable source of compressed .air (not shown): Theair passes out bedisturbing action of the exhaust air upon the gyroscope, a plate 37 is interposed, the 2 same being secured to the shaft 15. Above this dome 30 and about the shaft 1s mounted a coiled spring 40, one end of which is fixed to the said shaft 15 and the other to a sleeve 41', freely movable about said shaft and carrying a suitably graduated compass card or dial 42; A bar 43 secured to frame 13 extends over this dial and 'is provided with suitable sight openings 44 havin two parallel, vertically disposed threa s 45 to afford a more convenient and aciprate reading of the gradu'ations of the di 7 J a: To obtain the extremely .small bearing friction of shaft 16 in its bearing 18, the

dome 30, etc., has beenemployed and provides for a pneumatic support independent of the gyroscope bearings and partly overcomes the weight ofthe apparatus. The de-- gree of this sustaining air pressure is regulated to suit the minimum bearing frictlon and affords a very convenient andsimple wa'w of effecting the same. In fact, it is posexample, in non-magnetic compasses, the

sible therewith to substantially eliminate the frictional resistance turning of the desired axle which feature is extremely .valuable, for

elimination of the frictional resistance to turning about the vertical axle rendering the compass subject only to the rotary influences which are transmitted thereto through the horizontal or tilting axle. i

1. A rotatably mounted gyroscope, and

means to provide a suitable bearing therefor; means to support said gyroscope independently of said bearing, and means to supply air under pressure thereto With".a

free escape therefrom to eliminate substantially the frictional resistance to'turning about-one of its axes and without disturbing the gyroscope. Y

' 2. A rotatably mounted .gyroscope and means to provide a suitable bearing therefor; means to su port said gyroscope independently of said bearing, and means to v supply airunder pressure thereto with a free escape therefrom to eliminate substantially the frictional resistance to taming about its vertical axis and without disturbing the gyrosco e. 3. A rotatabF mounted gyroscope, and

, means to provi e a suitable bearing there- :table about'a vertical axis ber mountedlin sald second for; a member movable with saidgyroscope, and means to direct air under pressure there'- onwith a free escapetherefrom to $11 port said gyroscope independently of saidearing and without disturbing thegyroscope.

4. A rotatably mounted gyroscope, and means to provideia suitable bearing therefor; a member movable with said gyroscope,

means to direct air under pressure thereon p to support said gyroscope indeendently said bearing; and means to de ect the dischared'air. I I

5. in a gyroscope: a suitable frame; a second frame supported thereby and rotaa spinning meme member rotatab frame; a member i I menses movable with said second frame; and means to direct air thereon with a free escape therefrom to support said second frame independently of the first named frame and without disturbing the gyroscope. 6. In a gyroscope: a suitable frame; a second frame supported thereby and rotatable about a vertical axis; a spinning member mounted in said second frame; an inverted 1 cup-shaped member movable with said second frame; and open at the bottom to the atmosphere and means extending from said first named frame and opening lnto the in-.

verted cup-shaped member todirect" air therein to support the second frame inde pendently ofthe first frame.

In a gyroscope: a suitable frame; a second framersupportedthereby and rotatable about a vertical axis; a spinning member mounted in'sald second frame; an mverted cup-shaped member -movable with said second frame; means extending 'from said first named frame and openin into the inverted cup-shaped member to irect air therein to support the second frame inde: pendently of the first frame; and a plate secured to said first frame to deflect the dis- "upon a horizontal or tilting axle, means to suitably support the gyroscope vertically, and means to supply air under pressure thereto to eliminate substantially frictional resistance to turning-about the vertical axis, whereby all rotary impulses acting on the gyroscope are transmitted through the said horizontal or tiltin axle.

Si ned at New oi'k, in the county of ma ron, we see t New York, this 10th day bf May, A311). 1913. Y

llll'itnesses: Fn F. Scnmirrz,

LAURA 1E. Saarrnr.

a man, mans. 

